History

Furness Carers History:

1993

A steering committee is formed following a public meeting hosted by representatives from the Voluntary and Statutory services, this was held to gauge support to establish a Carers Association in Furness.

Joint finance funding from Health and Social Services was obtained to support initial development of a Carers Association.

1994

Project Co-ordinator appointed and office base in Barrow-in-Furness established.

Executive Committee established and Charitable status approved September 11th.

First Volunteers recruited to provide practical support services for Carers.

1995-1997

First Carers Support Groups held.

Home Support Services Project (Domiciliary Care) established.

North-West Regional Health Authority funded a two year appointment of a Part-Time Young Carers Project Worker to identify Young Carers and to raise awareness of issues relating to young people aged 5-18yrs, caring for a parent or sibling.

Three year “Opportunities for Volunteering” Grant obtained to fund the post of a Voluntary Services Co-ordinator and develop support services for Carers.

Development of Carers Centre/Charity Shop bases in Dalton-in-Furness and Ulverston.

1997-1998

One year grant for core services obtained from Tudor Trust and National Lottery Charity Board.

One year Grant for Young Carers Part-Time Worker obtained from Children in Need.

Young Carers “Natterjacks” Information Website launched by John Hutton, M.P. funded for the first year by Cumbria County Council.

2000-2002

Service Level Agreement for core funding agreed by Cumbria County Council for providing “Information and Advice to Carers”.

Robin House “Lifestyle Support Services” for Carers and their Cared-for established e.g. bathing, aromatherapy, lunches, hairdressing etc.

Appointment of G.P./Hospital Liaison Worker.

Service Level Agreement with Cumbria County Council for undertaking Assessment of Carers needs.

2002-2003

Become Network Members of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The Young Carers Project produces an educational Video “A Chance to Dream” for work within schools.

The Association gains “Investors in People” status.

Due to increase demand in Young Carers services, a new post is established for a Young Carers Worker.

2004-2006

Furness Carers reaches its 10th Anniversary, Carers of all ages were greeted with a visit by HRH The Princess Royal, who started the celebrations held at our Robin House, Resource Centre.

A dedicated person appointed to develop Carers activities in the Ulverston and District area of Furness.

A Carers Support Worker is established in partnership with Cumbria County Council to work alongside the local Adult Social Services teams.

Furness Carers Association becomes a Registered Company and no longer uses Association within its formal name and becomes known has Furness Carers.

2007-2010

The main office premises of operation are moved into one building with the closure of Robin House and all services being delivered from Hindpool Community Centre in Barrow-in-Furness.

Closer links are established with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers with the election of Furness Carers, Chief Executive Officer onto their UK Partnership Council to represent Carers Centre’s from the North West Region.

Developed with the other Carer Centre’s in Cumbria and Cumbria County Council and delivered the Carers Emergency Card Scheme.

2011-2015

We are awarded the Cumbria County Council contract following the successful tender process for the delivery of `Services for Children and Young People with caring responsibilities in Furness`.

We are awarded a contract from Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver Carers Support Services and work directly with GP surgeries.

Due to changes in the purchasing and the lack of contracted work for our Home Support Services a difficult decision was made in 2013 to close the department based on the fact it was unsustainable.

The Chief Executive Officer is re-elected has the North West Region representative on the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, UK Partnership Council.

Carers Support Cumbria is establish in partnership with the four other Carers organisations within Cumbria.

Carers Support Cumbria is awarded the Cumbria County Council contract following a successful tender process for the `Delivery of Statutory Carers Assessment, Support Plans and Health and Wellbeing Support’.

We are successful with the `Carer Grants Award – Supporting Carers in Furness` and as part of this establish a working partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to support Carers.

Furness Carers: is a non-profit making organisation registered with the Charity Commission and a Registered Company limited by guarantee. is managed by an Executive Committee (Board of Directors) which includes Carers as Trustees. is a consortium member of Carers Support Cumbria, an organisation made up of the five Carers organisations within Cumbria. works with Carers… Read more